Yesterday there seemed to be an unwritten law: TC will get no sleep. My plan was to catch up on sleep, but every time I fell asleep, I was awakened by a UPS delivery, an unexpected visit from a volunteer, a telephone call from my podiatrist to remind me of my appointment Monday, a phone call from my O2 provider to schedule an oxygen saturation test, and the list goes on.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
today’s took me 3:13 (average 4:19). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes:
From NY Times: Republicans are doing their best to persuade Americans that the Affordable Care Act will drive health insurance premiums so high that consumers will experience “rate shock.” That fear-provoking tale seems much less credible now that the rates proposed by health insurers for individual coverage on the new health care exchanges have been made public in several states. For the most part, the premiums will increase only slightly or even decrease for individuals and family coverage on the exchanges, electronic marketplaces in which consumers choose among a variety of plans with differing benefits and costs.
The reported rates are in states that have elected to run their own exchanges, which are set to start enrolling people in October for coverage that begins in January 2014. Many states with Republican governors have refused to set up exchanges and have left that task to the Obama administration. In 19 states where the exchanges will be entirely run by the federal government, more health insurance companies are entering the markets and injecting competition that should help hold down costs, the administration said on Thursday. Premiums are subject to many competing pressures, but, in several states, competition appears to be offsetting factors that might push rates up.
In California, officials announced last week that 13 insurers were awarded contracts to sell policies on the state’s health care exchanges next year. The companies submitted bids, which came in much lower than virtually all experts and actuaries had forecast…
When Republicans first started making this claim, before ObamaCare had even become the law, largely because of two things. First companies have to submit bids and be accepted to even offer their products on an exchange, replacing collusion with competition. And second companies are required to spend 80% of premiums collected on benefits. These pluses for US customers make Republicans all the more frantic to spread lies about ObamaCare.
From The New Yorker: In the latest scandal to rock the Obama Administration, a leading Republican congressman accused the President today of using his position to obtain free government housing for himself and his family.
According to Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin), Mr. Obama “has arrogantly exploited the office of President to gain access to a fifty-five-thousand-square-foot residence that could double as a museum.”
“While the average American is struggling to pay his bills, President Obama is living in a luxury home, adorned with priceless paintings and antiques as far as the eye can see,” Rep. Ryan alleged.
Additionally, the Wisconsin congressman said, the President has availed himself of “sumptuous free meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—all on the taxpayer’s nickel.”…
Dang! I’m sure no white Republican President would even dream of committing such a vile act! 😉
From YouTube: Bill Maher – New Rules – 5/31/2013
Despite the obvious irreverent hilarity, he made an excellent point about the failure of Democrats to embrace a natural issue for us. After over 30 years, I have no desire to start using it again, but I see it as a nonviolent activity that could become a valuable source of tax revenue instead of a harmful distraction to law enforcement and a far too expensive contributor to the shameful condition that the US incarcerates the highest percentage of our citizens in the world.
Cartoon:
17 Responses to “Open Thread–6/1/2013”
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So sorry you had such a disturbed day TC – I know from experience that that is very exhausting; hope things are quieter today. So sorry, but I am hors de combat myself now – have been signing so many petitions against disgusting people doing awful things to animals I just must lie down and listen to soothing music – or I may blow a gasket with fury and disgust!
I do hope things are improving – love the cartoon!
Thanks Pat. Recover quickly from Republicosis. 😉
Love Bill – – as for the Ryan quote – I thought that was an Alan Berkowitz article – I really had no idea that there really was such a humerous ignoramus that could state such a thing! I guess I should have known better when individuals like Ryan actually open their mouths and idiocy comes forth – it's beyond my comprehension! Such jealousy and racist anger is too beyond belief.
Hope you get much needed rest TC!
Thanks Lee. The quote was not actual. It was satire from the Borowitz report in the New Yorker.
2:58 Am I Madame Butterfly?
2:50 Am I Mister Butterfly?
Well I sure as hell am not going to call you Madame Butterfly!
3:39 I took way too much time smelling the flowers. No sleep doesn't help much either.
A cross between a butterfly and a bigfoot? 😉
Now, if Jerry wanted to be called Madame, you should respect his chioce.
Puzzle — 2:58 Am I Madame Butterfly?
NY Times — Isn't it amazing what a little competition will do? On other sites, I have seen the Republican/Teabagger trolls dragging out the GOP talking points of higher premiums. Of course what they don't say is where these rates are from, and they don't tell you if this is better coverage than before. Ask them no questions and they'll tell you no lies.
Personally, being Canadian and subject to our universal healthcare system, I'll take our system every day! Obamacare is a step in the right direction, but the next step must be universal care. Americans need to stop listening to Faux Noise and others of their ilk, and start asking questions at the exchanges. Ask questions, THINK, ruminate but not too long, and get onboard! Obamacare is here. Embrace the change! It is a lot easier than swimming against the tide!
The New Yorker — I love Andy Borowitz!!!!! I have a question though for Lyin' Ryan — Mr Obama has offered to return 5% of his income to the government. Has the useless, do nothing Lyin' Ryan ponied up to do the same? Not that I have heard. I know that by constitutional amendment salaries can't be changed except under certain guidelines, but there is nothing to say that some cannot be returned, as far as I know.
You Tube — Bill Maher is so funny! I love the line "Bat's all folks!" But I also like the section that alternated between marriage equality and marijuana use. There is just too much baggage in the law about pot possession for personal use. Tax the stuff like cigarettes and quit arresting the little guys.
Cartoon — Could Edison please return from the grave and invent the "non tamper" version! Or was Edison a Republican?
Nope!
I agree. Your's is better. Ours is the best step we could get, for now, in that direction.
Of course not. By and large, the Red States, the 1%, and their Republican lackeys are the ones doing the taking.
Bingo!
I would caall him a progressive.
"Many states with Republican governors have refused to set up exchanges and have left that task to the Obama administration."
Just another example of republican not knowing how to govern, leaving it up to others to do their jobs. It also point out their hyprocrisy about smaller government and states rights when they let the federal government do what the states can do themselves.
Once more, proof that Democrats do, republcans don't.
Republican'ts?
Republiwon'ts or Republidon'ts!
Amen, Jerry!
Way back in the sixties, I lived in a small dorm at college that housed 17 girls. Three of them were lesbians. This was my first encounter with gay folks. Now I have a cousin and a step nephew who are openly gay. I do not understand why they are subjected to so much cruelty. We are born the way we are. As for potheads, although I have never tried it myself, a few of my dearest friends have been or still are, potheads. Why is it so different from alcohol? Ryan wouldn't know the truth or honesty if it hit him in the forehead. Glad Bachman is retiring. I wish she would take Palin with her. Hang in there, TC, you will eventually get some rest.
Thanks Edie.
What is different about pot is an BIG ongoing lobbying campaign by the alcoholic beferage industry to keep it illegal.